He was ordained a priest at Cambrai in September 1577 and left Rheims for England on 3 May 1578; however, he returned on 15 July and went to Rome.

[2] He was chosen to accompany Campion and Ralph Sherwin on their way to England, and the three set out from Rome on 14 April 1580, arriving in Rheims on 31 May.

Luke Kirby was tried at the same time as Edmund Campion, on the same charge of treason against the Queen, but his execution was deferred to the following May, and took place immediately after that of William Filby.

[4] Kirby was condemned on 17 November 1581, and from 2 April until the day he died, he was put in irons.

[7] A portion of a stained glass window in St. Edmund's College, Ware depicts him.